NEW YORK - The University of Michigan's preliminary December consumer sentiment index reading was 73.4, compared to the final November 67.4, the preliminary November 66.0 reading, and the final October 70.6, according to market sources.
Economists polled by Thomson Reuters had predicted a 68.5 reading for the index.
The expectations index was 69.7, compared to 66.5 in November, 63.7 earlier in November, and 68.6 in October.
The current conditions index was 79.1, compared to 68,8 last month, 69.6 earlier in November, and 73.7 in October.
Economists polled by Thomson Reuters had predicted a 69.0 reading for the current conditions index and 67.0 for the expectations index.
The five-year inflation expectation index was 2.6%, compared to 3.0% in November, 3.1% earlier n the month, and 2.9% in October, while the one-year inflation expectation index was 2.1%, compared to 2.7% last month, 2.8% at mid- November, 2.9% in October.
The University of Michigan index is not released to the press, but only to paying subscribers.
